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Fall 2014 Graduation Celebration

The Lyles College of Engineering will hold the Fall 2014 graduation celebration on Friday, December 19, from 10 am to 11 am in the Satellite Student Union. About 40 students are expected to complete requirements for their degrees. The Lyles College is the only college at Fresno State that hosts a Fall graduation ceremony for students. For more information, please contact the Office of the Dean at 559.278.2500.

2014 Projects Day - May 6, 2014

Satellite Student Union2:00 - 5:30 pm

The Lyles College of Engineering will host the 7th annual Projects Day event showcasing students design, innovation and research. The following projects will be presented:

2014 Dean's Medal Nominees

Congratulations to the 2014 Lyles College of Engineering Dean's Medal Nominees.

Anthony CemoCivil Engineering - Graduate

Jeremy RentchCivil Engineering - Undergraduate

Kenneth LindMechanical Engineering - Undergraduate

Kathryn UpdykeElectrical Engineering - Undergraduate

Ryan JohnsonConstruction Management - Undergraduate

Beau ImmelGeomatics Engineering - Undergraduate

Anthony Cemo is the 2014 Lyles College of Engineering Graduate Dean's Medalist.

Kathryn Updyke is the 2014 Lyles College of Engineering Undergraduate Dean's Medalist.

LCOE Open House

Fresno State’s Lyles College of Engineering hosted an open house for high school and community college students and their families, teachers and counselors from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 16, in the Engineering East building.

Kirk Grimes serves as Fluor Corporation's group president, Supply Chain. He has responsibility for the execution of the procurement model and contracts across all Fluor Business Groups. Additionally, Kirk continues to lead elements of the Fluor business transformation to ensure changes that lead to growth. Prior to his current position, Grimes served as group executive, Operations, overseeing the company's Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Project Risk Management and Sustainability functions, as well as Project Execution Services, Project Excellence Network and Strategic Planning.

Assemi, graduated Cum Laude from Fresno State in 1983 with a degree in Civil Engineering, has served as president of Granville Homes since 2009. He also served as vice president from 1983 to 2009 for the local, family-owned and operated home builder.

Assemi came to the United States from Iran more than 30 years ago and is the driving force behind the Granville mission “to improve the well-being of people in our community” and promote “positive change in the lives of people in the Central Valley.” This is done not only through the family homes Granville builds, but also through community programs like Granville’s Home of Hope that provide access to food, shelter, health care and education to the underprivileged.

He serves as chairperson of American Medical Overseas Relief (AMOR), a Fresno nonprofit created by the Assemi family and other business leaders to help improve the health of mothers and children in Afghanistan. AMOR funded the creation of Afshar Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2009. More than 3,500 patients a month receive treatment at the 100-bed hospital.

Assemi is an ardent supporter of Downtown revitalization in Fresno. Granville has built four, upscale multi-family projects which have brought an estimated 500 new residents to the Cultural Arts District in Fresno. Two more multi-family projects are on the drawing board as the district pursues the rebirth of Fresno’s urban core.

He is a member of the boards of directors for the California Transportation Commission, the California Health Sciences University, the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno and the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. He is also board chair of American Medical Overseas Relief.

August 17, 2013: LCOE Alumnus Chris Roseander inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame

Lyles College of Engineering alumnus Chris Rosander was born the same year Sputnik orbited the earth. He says his mind was on space from a young age. “The astronauts were my childhood heroes, and my favorite hobby as a kid was building and flying model airplanes and rockets.”

Rosander was born in Fresno and graduated from Edison High School in 1975. He served six years in the California Air National Guard and in 1982 graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

February 10, 2013: Construction Management Students Place in the ASC Student Competition

Construction Management Heavy Civil Team at the ASC Competition, February 2013

Construction Managment LEED Team at the ASC Competition, February 2013

The Construction Management Program of Lyles College of Engineering, Fresno State competed in the Associated Schools of Construction's Annual Student Competition February 6-9, 2013 in Reno, Nevada. This year, the Heavy Civil team placed first and the LEED team placed second in their respective categories! The students competed against teams from across the United States including Arizona State, Boise State, BYU, CSU-Chico, CSU-Sacramento, Cal. Poly (SLO), Colorado State, University of Florida, University of New Mexico, University of Washington, Virginia Tech, and Weber State. Furthermore, two of our students were among the alternate teams who were placed first in the alternate category and closest bid in the alternate competition.

The Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) conducts an annual construction management competition for students enrolled in construction education programs throughout the nation. The largest of these competitions, for Regions 6 & 7, is held in Reno, Nevada in February. This year, over 1,400 students from 41 universities competed in the ASC Regional event in Reno. Additionally, over 600 industry professionals and 150 faculty members participated in the event. The competition is comprised of eight (8) regional and nine (9) open, or national, real world problem statements, sponsored by the participating construction companies. Teams of six undergraduate students were challenged to solve problems that simulate real-life estimating, bidding, scheduling, and proposal processes for complex construction projects. Teams are required to complete the problem statements in 12 to 18 hours and then present their solutions to these problems in front of the industry judges on the following day. The teams are ultimately judged on their problem solution, presentation skills, creativity, construction knowledge, and management skills.

The Associated Schools of Construction is an international organization that represents the interests of both academic and industry professionals who are committed to the quality of institutional construction education.

John Miyamoto named Top Dog 2012

The Fresno State Alumni Association has honored John Miyamoto, a 1985 Electrical Engineering graduate as the 2012 Top Dog and Outstanding Alumnus.

John Miyamoto is the vice president of the global communications systems advanced programs group, responsible for developing and insert new technology and capability into new and ongoing military and commercial satellite programs. He has been responsible for procurement and project management of military communications programs worth over $7B. He has led the development of over 32 advanced communications products and services for both defense and civil programs.

Prior to his current position, John was vice president for the Advanced EHF program and was also responsible for providing engineering support for the operational Milstar and Defense Satellite Communications System military communications constellations. Earlier John served as the chief system engineer and system engineering, integration, and test director, and then as the deputy program manager on the Advanced EHF program, providing technical and program leadership for all phases of the advanced communications system development and design. John earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from California State University at Fresno. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Antenna Measurement and Techniques Association, and Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association.

APLU supports Engineering and Construction Management students

(August 13, 2012) – The Lyles College of Engineering at Fresno State and State Center Community College District are sharing a $100,000 grant to increase recruitment, retention and matriculation of underrepresented students preparing for engineering and construction management careers.

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) grant is also designed to strengthen relationships between Fresno-area public higher education institutions. It is part of the association’s national initiative to increase and improve access and success for underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“The Lyles College at Fresno State and the State Center Community College District are honored to be part of this national initiative,” said Dr. Ram Nunna, dean of the Lyles College of Engineering. “This partnership with APLU will result in new research, mentoring and professional development opportunities for our students.”

The grant will be used to develop a student peer-mentor network, provide research and project opportunities for students, bring industry leaders to the region for lectures and develop multi-lingual outreach programs for prospective students and their families.

Robert Fox, interim associate vice chancellor for the State Center Community College District, said the grant will expand ties with Fresno State. “Our common goal is to ensure that the diverse students in our region have an articulated and supported pathway to earn degrees in these growing fields,” Fox said.

Funding for this initiative was provided to the APLU by the Kresge Foundation. Additional grants were awarded to Alabama A&M, the University of Illinois at Chicago and University of Minnesota and partnering community colleges.

The APLU grant enhances the university’s Campaign for Fresno State, an initiative to raise $200 million in support of scholarships, faculty, programs and facilities. Through July 2012, the campaign had raised more than $191.4 million. It is the university’s inaugural comprehensive campaign and among the largest in the CSU system.

For more information, contact Kathleen Schock, the campaign communications director, at 559.278.2756 or kschock@csufresno.edu

Irvine Foundation funds partnership to support engineering education

April 13, 2012: The James Irvine Foundation awarded $800,000 over three years to the Lyles College of Engineering at Fresno State in support of its new Pathways to Engineering and Construction Management Careers initiative.

The Pathways to Engineering and Construction Management Careers initiative will connect the Lyles College of Engineering with local school districts, community colleges and industry to accomplish the following key goals:

Increase learning opportunities for Lyles College of Engineering students.

Form a regional partnership of education stakeholders.

Create pathways to engineering and construction management degrees and certificates.

Improve retention and graduation rates for Lyles College of Engineering students.

Expand outreach targeted toward K-12 students in the region.

The gift is one of the largest commitments from a foundation in the college’s history.

This grant focuses attention on Linked Learning in engineering and construction management education. Linked Learning integrates real-world professions with rigorous academics, transforming education into a personally relevant experience that increases students’ success in college and careers.

“We are excited to expand Linked Learning in the Central Valley through this grant,” said Irvine Foundation Senior Program Officer Vince Stewart. “The partnerships cultivated in this initiative will address critical education and workforce needs in the region and will smooth the pathway for students from high school through college to a successful career.”

The magnitude of the Irvine Foundation’s gift is intensified by Dr. William Lyles, the Fresno businessman and Fresno State benefactor for whom the college is named. The Lyles family and group of companies will fully match the gift, providing additional resources to the college in support of the project.

“Our region needs more educated engineers and construction managers to grow the economy. Investment in engineering and construction management education is an investment in the future. In addition, it offers opportunity for upward mobility for young people in a region that sadly lacks good jobs” said Lyles.

Fresno State President John D. Welty said the generosity of the Irvine Foundation and the Lyles family will result in new resources and opportunities for Fresno State’s current and future engineering students. “This investment supports Fresno State’s mission to provide opportunities on campus that will help our graduates participate in the economic recovery and long-term future of our region.”

“This project will allow us to develop regional strategies for outreach, curricular alignment and services for students, better preparing them to enter the workforce as engineers and construction managers, or continue their studies in graduate school” said Dr. Ram Nunna, Dean of the Lyles College of Engineering.

Robert Fox, State Center Community College District Acting Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Educational Services said, “This project will bring together all the key educational stakeholders to address engineering and construction management education in our region.”

Since it was founded in 1937, the James Irvine Foundation has provided more than $1 billion in grants to over 3,000 organizations benefiting the people of California. The San Joaquin Valley is one of the foundation’s priority regions. In 2011 it awarded the Fresno Regional Foundation a $3 million grant to establish the Fund for the San Joaquin Valley.

Engineering education has been a core academic program at Fresno State for nearly 90 years. The Lyles College of Engineering has more than 6,000 alumni, many of whom went on to achieve international success. The Lyles College offers the only accredited engineering programs from Merced to Bakersfield in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geomatics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

The Irvine Foundation gift enhances the university’s Campaign for Fresno State, an initiative to raise $200 million in support of scholarships, faculty, programs and facilities. Through March 2012, the campaign had raised more than $183.8 million. It is the university’s inaugural comprehensive campaign and among the largest in the CSU system.

For more information, contact Kathleen Schock, the campaign communications director, at 559.278.2756 or kschock@csufresno.edu.

Lyles College of Engineering Projects Day 2012

The Lyles College of Engineering hosted the fifth Annual Projects Day event on Thursday, May 3, at California State University, Fresno. Over 130 seniors and graduate students presented their capstone design projects, and other research projects.The event was open to the public. Area teachers, counselors and students from several area schools attended the event and met with the Fresno State student designers.

44 projects were on display including: the Fresno State GPS network, laser detectors, maze solving robot, audio amplifiers and signal conditioning systems, embedded systems controllers, inverted pendulums, designs for a center for the blind, a modern design of the Fresno County Library and an autonomous lawn mower.

Construction Management Students place 2nd in the LEED competition

The Construction Management Program competed in the Associated Schools of Construction's Annual Student Competition February 8-11, 2012 in Reno, Nevada. This year our LEED team took 2nd place! This is quite an accomplishment, especially since these students competed against teams from Arizona State, Boise State, BYU, Cal. Poly (SLO), Colorado State, University of Florida, University of New Mexico, University of Washington, Virginia Tech, and Weber State.

LEED stands for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" and is the most prevalent rating system for the design and construction of sustainable buildings in the United States. The LEED problem statement was sponsored by Skanska, which is an international construction company that is committed to building sustainable projects.

In addition to the LEED competition, Fresno State student teams also competed in the commercial, design/build, mixed use, and heavy civil construction problems. All teams were very successful this year and were acknowledged for their high level of professionalism throughout the competition.

The Associated Schools of Construction is an international organization that represents the interests of both academic and industry professionals who are committed to the quality of institutional construction education. For more information about the competition, please contact Construction Management faculty member and team mentor Prof. Brad Hyatt.

Engineers at the Mall - 2012

The Lyles College of Engineering hosted its annual event "Engineers at the Mall" at the Sierra Vista Mall in Clovis to commemorate National Engineers Week on February 25th and 26th. The event showcased the engineering and construction management professions. Students displayed several projects such as the Formula One car, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and interacted with the community. Professionals from the American Society for Civil Engineers also participated in the 2-day event. The event was covered by local news media - media link 1, media link 2.

Computer Engineering major Alonso Jauregui wins national SHPE Award

Alonso Jauregui (3rd from left) a Computer Engineering major in the Lyles College of Engineering was recognized with the 2011 Future Leaders of Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Award, one of only two students selected across the United States for such honor.

Lyles College of Engineering students participate in a NASA Micro-Gravity Experiment

July, 2011: In July this year, a team of eight California State University, Fresno students was one of 14 undergraduate teams at the NASA Johnson Space Center‘s Ellington Field in Houston that conducted experiments aboard the agency’s “Weightless Wonder” aircraft as part of NASA’s Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program. The Fresno State contingent is an interdisciplinary team of students and faculty from the Lyles College of Engineering, College of Science and Mathematics and Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

The team is investigating the “Formation of Calcium Oxalate in a Microgravity Environment”. The team’s research objective was to observe any differences in the amount of precipitate formed or changes in the crystalline structure of calcium oxalate. The data will provide knowledge about the formation of kidney stones and crystal formation in plants in a microgravity condition and help understand why calcium oxalate crystals clog water-waste filters aboard spacecraft. The research also addresses whether there are structural changes induced in calcium oxalate by a microgravity environment and how yields of crystalline calcium oxalate are affected by microgravity.

On Friday, July 15, the team flew its second mission of the week over the Gulf of Mexico in the Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program, which gives undergraduates the opportunity to propose, build and fly a reduced-gravity experiment. During the free falls, the students were able to gather data in the unique environment and experience near-weightlessness.

Following their in-flight experiments, “Formation of Calcium Oxalate in a Microgravity Environment,” the team will evaluate findings, draw conclusions and provide the results to NASA. Calcium oxalate is a salt crystal found in many plants and also is the major component of kidney stones.

For more information about the Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program, visit the Web site at: http://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov or contact Rachel Kraft at NASA Johnson Space Center’s Public Affairs Office, at 281-792-7690, or rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov.

For more information about the student team, please contact Dr. Ming Xiao at mxiao@csufresno.edu or 559.278.2500.

Lyles College of Engineering Student Awarded Prestigious National Scholarship

Max Gardner, a Computer Engineering major in the Lyles College of Engineering, has been awarded a 2011 Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship from the Department of Defense. The SMART Scholarship for Service program supports students who demonstrate outstanding ability and special aptitude pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The program also aims to increase the number of civilian scientists and engineers working at the Department of Defense laboratories. Gardner, a Tehachapi, CA native, is the first California State University, Fresno student to ever receive this scholarship.

The award is one of the most prestigious and lucrative awards available for undergraduate students in the STEM disciplines. As a SMART Scholar, Gardner will receive a scholarship from the Department of Defense that will cover his full tuition and education related fees, an annual stipend of $25,000, paid summer internship opportunities, a health insurance reimbursement, a book allowance of $1,000 per academic year, professional mentoring and employment placement after graduation.

In exchange for the scholarship, Gardner will fulfill a service requirement for the Department of Defense after he graduates from Fresno State. For his service requirement, Gardner will spend at least two years working at Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, CA. He will spend one semester prior to graduation working in the electronics warfare department.

The SMART Program is administered by the American Society for Engineering Education, the Naval Postgraduate School, and is part of the National Defense Education Network. It aims to increase the number of scientists and engineers in the Department of Defense, and the program is particularly interested in supporting individuals who demonstrate an aptitude as well as an interest in conducting theoretical and applied research. As such, the program primarily targets researchers and engineers. The scholarship is extremely competitive; scholarship officials anticipated that this past fall 4,000 students from across the country applied for approximately 300 scholarships.

The Lyles College of Engineering reminds other students that the scholarship deadline is early November and encourages all qualified candidates to apply at the web site smart.asee.org.

Songita Choudhury selected as 2011 President's Medal Recipient

Songita Choudhury, who earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, received the President’s Medal – the highest award to an undergraduate – at California State University, Fresno’s 100th Commencement.

A Smittcamp Honors College President’s Scholar from Clovis, she has demonstrated excellence in academics, research, leadership and service.

In 2008, as a sophomore, she joined a multidisciplinary biomechanics laboratory on campus to study the effects of a neurotoxin that causes Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms in fruit flies.

This project involved student researchers from electrical engineering, computer engineering and chemistry. Choudhury excelled as a contributing researcher in the lab. She also contributed to successful grant proposals, made presentations at two international conferences and five abstracts (two as first author). She co-authored two pending peer reviewed journal articles. Her capstone senior design project in electrical engineering combined her medical and engineering passions in design and implementation of a wireless heart-rate monitor.

Choudhury served as Associated Students Inc. senator for the Lyles College of Engineering, president of the Lyles College Officers Council and vice chair of the ASI Finance Committee. She also held leadership positions in the Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu honor societies and was a member of the university’s Centennial Leadership Committee. She has volunteered at a summer camp for girls interested in engineering, a robotics competitions for elementary-school children and MESA competition for elementary and junior high students that encourages pursuit of engineering, math and science.

“As a female in a heavily male-dominated field, encouraging future generations of women to pursue engineering and sciences has been one of my cherished activities,” said Choudhury.

She completed her degree with a 4.0 grade point average. Choudhury plans to work toward a medical degree and a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering or bioengineering. She says that growing up with an engineer for a father led her to view the world from scientific and mathematical standpoints very early in life. She was fascinated observing her father apply engineering principles to solve biological problems. Coming to Fresno State allowed Choudhury to realize her educational goals. “I will forever be thankful for the opportunities I had while I was a student in the Lyles College of Engineering and Fresno State,” she says.

Dr. Nagy Bengiamin, who chairs the Department of Electrical Engineering, said Choudhury’s contributions to her field of study brought have honor to the university. “She has a passion for engaging and helping others as a participant and a leader,” he said.

She was recognized during the ceremony Saturday, May 21, at the Save Mart Center to confer bachelor’s degrees on 4,279 new graduates. Master’s degrees were awarded to 916 students, while 40 received doctorates and nine educational specialist degrees.

Explore innovation and design in engineering and construction management at the Lyles College of Engineering’s Annual Projects Day from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at California State University, Fresno.

The event, which is free and open to the public at the Satellite Student Union, features the work of student designers who are seniors and graduate students in the Lyles College.

K-12 teachers, counselors and students are especially welcome and encouraged to attend.

They will be able to meet with student designers and see prototypes of projects such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, autonomous robots, high-speed flywheels, the Fresno State GPS network, laser detectors and a maze-solving robot.

Also on display will be audio amplifiers and signal conditioning systems, embedded systems controllers, a human-powered vehicle, design of an eco-village, an River Island Country Club, Italian Bar Bridge at Redlinger Lake, and more.

New Graduate Degree Option - Computer Engineering - Fall 2011

The Lyles College of Engineering will begin offering the Computer Engineering option as part of the Master of Science degree program in Engineering. Prospective students can pursue graduate work in Computer Engineering areas such as Embedded Systems, Digital Signal Processing, Computer Architecture, Networks, VLSI, and many more. To obtain more information on this new option, please contact Dr. Reza Raeisi, Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at rraesi@csufresno.edu.

June 27-July 1: GIRLS SEE Lyles College of Engineering Hosts 3rd Annual Summer Camp for High School Girls

The Lyles College of Engineering at California State University, Fresno is offering central San Joaquin Valley high school girls an opportunity to attend the 2011 Girls Summer Engineering Experience (SEE), a week long day camp for high school girls interested in engineering or construction management. Structured hands-on activities, speakers, technical workshops and field trips, will make this a fun filled educational experience for all participants.

Girls SEE, which runs June 27 - July 1, 2011 , is available to girls entering grades 10-12. Activities are designed to build upon leadership skills while promoting a female science- and math-based community. Click here for additional information. Click here for more information.

DPS Telecom makes $100,000 gift to support engineering projects

DPS Telecom, through founder and CEO Bob Berry, made a $100,000 gift to support faculty and students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at California State University, Fresno’s Lyles College of Engineering. More..

Major gift from William Lyles will benefit College of Engineering at Fresno State

The College of Engineering at California State University, Fresno will take a major step forward in educating more students in the Central Valley for careers in engineering and construction management thanks to a major commitment from William Lyles, President and CEO of Lyles Diversified Inc.

Lyles, his family and their companies have committed a $10 million gift and the University agrees to seek an additional $10 million in support for the College of Engineering in the coming years. The total impact over time will be $20 million for the college.

“The Central Valley has been a great place for our family,” said William Lyles. “We’ve watched the region grow and change through the years and we believe it is essential that the Valley transform its economy in the coming years. A critical part of that transformation will be more well-educated engineers to support this growth. It is our hope that this gift will encourage and inspire others to help in this important effort.”

The Lyles family members are longtime supporters of Fresno State, and have assisted numerous projects at the university. Thanks to the Lyles family, entrepreneurs have a chance to translate their visions into business reality through the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Students, faculty and visiting performers enjoy playing the Elizabeth Lyles pipe organ in the Concert Hall in the Music Building.

Fresno State President Dr. John D. Welty said the Lyles gift will play a major role in developing the College of Engineering to meet the region’s growing needs while increasing its appeal to faculty and students.

“This investment will transform the College of Engineering,” Welty added. “In recognition of this commitment, I will ask the California State University Board of Trustees to name the college the Lyles College of Engineering.”

Welty said the Lyles’ gift acknowledges the importance of the College of Engineering in developing the region’s burgeoning growth, which is driving the area’s economy. Long-recognized as one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world, the Central Valley is transitioning toward engineering and technological growth as keys to continued economic health and sustainability.

The Central Valley offers an ideal location to apply emerging technologies, engineering innovations and leading edge construction management strategies. To support this new era, the College of Engineering must attract, educate and retain bright, talented leaders in the various engineering specialties and make community connections while they are here so that they stay in the region, Welty said.

William Lyles is a third generation engineer. His companies have been involved in construction, real estate and development, underground pipeline and utility construction, heavy concrete and mechanical construction.

He is a long-time member of the university's President's Circle and a member of the Board of Governors for the California State University, Fresno Foundation. In 1999, he was awarded one of the university's highest honors – the California State University, Fresno Foundation Service Award. His combination of philanthropy and service was recognized by Fresno State in 2001, when an honorary doctorate of humane letters was conferred on him by the California State University trustees.